SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Two Northern California men are facing serious federal charges after an investigation uncovered a significant fentanyl trafficking operation, along with the possession of an illegal weapon. Cruz Tinajero, 25, of Napa, and Ashan Naeem, 24, of Stockton, were indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on multiple counts related to drug and gun offenses, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
The indictment alleges that between April 11, 2024, and November 13, 2024, Tinajero and Naeem conspired to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl – a deadly synthetic opioid fueling the overdose crisis. Beyond the narcotics, authorities discovered the pair possessed a semi-automatic AR-15 style rifle that had been deliberately manufactured without a serial number, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.” This makes tracing the weapon nearly impossible and presents a clear threat to public safety.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, drawing resources from multiple federal and local agencies. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Taskforce (METRO), and the Stockton High Intensity Narcotics Enforcement (SHINE) unit all contributed to building the case. SHINE operates under the umbrella of the Central Valley California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (CVC HIDTA) program, highlighting the regional focus on combating drug trafficking.
If convicted on all counts, Tinajero and Naeem could face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison, and potentially life behind bars. They also risk a hefty $10 million fine. However, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew De Moura, who is prosecuting the case, emphasized that any actual sentence will be determined by the court, taking into account various statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case isn’t being handled in isolation. It’s part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations and stemming the flow of illegal drugs into the country. The operation leverages the combined power of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) programs. The Sacramento Strike Force, a permanent multi-agency team, played a key role in this investigation, specifically targeting significant criminal organizations operating within the Eastern District of California.
The OCDETF Sacramento Strike Force includes a broad coalition of law enforcement agencies – DEA, FBI, HSI, IRS-CI, USMS, ATF, USPIS, BLM, USFS, Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, California National Guard, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Justice, and Central Valley CA HIDTA. The Yolo and Placer County District Attorney’s Offices are also assisting in the prosecution. It’s crucial to remember that these are allegations, and both Tinajero and Naeem are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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